The monsoons are here in Arizona, and rain is pretty much all I can think of. Friday was horrific. It hailed and rained over one half inch within 15 minutes. Yes, it hails sunny Arizona. It can get so bad; a few years ago, a golf ball sized ice broke through my sister’s window in Phoenix. Plus, her car had more dents than a golf ball.

Many years ago, it rained day after day. The creek rose so high it threatened homes on the creek bank. These homes were set back from the bank and at least fifty feet above the creek. Heck, the waters just eroded the bank underneath and homes began crashing in.

Young Mr. Cline was shown on local TV. He was running an old bull-dozer; pushing junk cars over the bank in hopes it would stop the erosion. Of course, as he did the interview, he had to stop periodically so he could spit out a bit of tobacco chaw.

That was the year we couldn’t get to work. That was the year I applied for short term unemployment (one month’s worth). That was the year the Department of Unemployment wrote in pencil on the back of my letter, saying, “You made too much money to qualify for help.” Yes, they returned my letter with their penciled response on the back.

We pretty much lived on peanut butter sandwiches, but we survived.

In the meantime, our neighbors homes were at risk and the Corps of Engineers were sent to build two dikes. I loved this neighborhood. Back then, everyone pitched in to help. Some set up fires to help keep us warm (we were all soaked as the rains were relentless), many of them were cooking food over their fires; offered free to all hungry. Some (including me) helped haul rocks to fill baskets used for forming the dike, and some were running large equipment to expedite the process.

I think it interesting that a disaster such as that can bring a small community together. I’ll save the fire story for another time—another story about community help.

I would like to hear your story involving a devastating rain. I remember watching tornadoes develop when I lived in Missouri, but only once did one come close. I suspect my weather story is mild.

Your challenge is to write about the worst rain you can remember.

The Rules:

Keep in mind, this is a monitored group and there are only a couple of rules, which are:

Make sure you put this (WWE, 7/24/13, Rain) in your title.

Be sure to tag it with WWE,Gather Writing Essentials,Rain. Post to Gather Writing Essential.

I ask that you make your submission(s) by next Tuesday afternoon, but if you’re late, just give me the link.

There is a limit of three submissions from each member per day. If you’re extremely prolific, spread out your work and post only three submissions per day.

Most important:

Put this challenge statement at the beginning or end of your submission so readers will know what you’re supposed to do and won’t think you’re crazy.

Challenge: Tell us about your experience in a horrific rain.

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BELOW ARE RESPONSES TO PRIOR CHALLENGES – CHECK THEM OUT. Please let me know if I missed anyone’s post and I’ll get it linked for next week.

Review by:Sharon Pribbleon July 04, 2013 :Once again the Gather writers have created a wonderful mix. I enjoyed the variety.

Review by:Elsie Dugganon July 17, 2013 :Just think this is an amazing book. The writers are all so talented and editors great. Recommend it highly for reading pleasure by all, something for everyone,

Review by:Heather Campbellon July 17, 2013 :What a terrific FREE opportunity! This book compiled of the various contributions by this group of Gather writers is well worth your time to download and read. I know many of the people involved in the creation of this book and I have only the highest regard for their work. I hope you will enjoy their talents as much as I have.

Review by:Pat Moore on July 18, 2013 : Yep, I’m biased. Yep, I’m a Gather member. And yep, I’m a contributor.Yep, it’s one of the best books I’ve read in ages – right up there with the original Twisted Shorties (and my own humble effort, A Little Gathering). It’s bigger. It’s better, and you will not get more entertainment for the money. Whatever tickles your fancy, you will find it in here… and will probably find something else you hadn’t thought of, to tickle it again.Download it. It’ll be the best thing you do this week.

The writers of Gather.com have returned, melding their creative talents once again for the anthology, Twisted Shorties II. Their strange minds have crafted stories and poems that are romantic, zany, creepy, and even out of this world…

pambrittainhomepage.blogspot.comCollege of the streets. Own my own business.Love to read and am a far better editor than I am a writer.Founding President of a professional organization that successfully lobbies State legislature.F